Chapter 35: Teacher

—My darkness absorbs everything.

I emphasize this once again.

The important thing is to make Risa realize that even if I use an area attack, no citizens will be harmed.

—Oxygen, light, medium, and even wind.

I’m essentially shouting this.

‘Whether it’s wind or storm, I’ll absorb it all, so feel free to unleash your full power.’

Of course, it would be foolish to expect Risa to trust the words of a villain who suddenly appeared.

That’s why I forced a choice.

—How long can you last in a place where oxygen is scarce?

If no great hero hurries to eliminate this cruel villain, thousands of citizens will die in a stampede.

—Feel the weight of the sins you’ve built up and die as painfully as possible.

The citizens trapped in the darkness began to riot.

Their words of frustration, hatred, and resentment were swallowed up, leaving only silent screams.

[What if the Empress doesn’t come?]

If Risa continues to hold back or even uses all her strength but still loses…

‘I can’t let these citizens go unscathed.’

It would be a huge blow to Villain Iran’s image. Remaining a threatening villain to Seoran is the most important thing.

[Are you serious?] ‘…Logically speaking…’ [Understood.]

So, everything depends on Risa.

---

【Feel the weight of the sins you’ve built up and die as painfully as possible】

“…”

Risa tilted her head, looking for the source of the voice. Indeed, a tremendous power could be felt.

“Is this part of the show you’ve prepared?”

The villains surrounding her numbered just over two hundred. But the real threats were only a handful.

Twelve designated villains, three special villains. All of them were powerhouses within the top 1,000 ranks.

They were meticulous and relentless. Using two hundred meat shields, the core forces hid in buildings, underground, and the air, slowly wearing away at Risa’s strength.

It was like peeling away at a massive building.

“Using civilians as hostages is like cutting into your own flesh, isn’t it?”

This was simply setting the stage for Risa to unleash her full power.

“…”

The villains holding their ground didn’t answer, but Risa could read their unease.

‘Did the military get involved?’

It was possible. For the Hero Association, seeing their image tarnished could be seen as a welcome opportunity.

‘But…’

There was something off about this.

This intervention was clearly in Risa’s favor.

‘It’s like they’re helping me…’

It felt as though they were pretending to be evil villains, assisting Risa.

‘But that can’t be right.’

If they truly wanted to help her, they wouldn’t need such a complicated scheme — they would simply have stopped the effects of her abilities.

The threat to kill people wasn’t necessary.

Swoosh—

Blocking the torrents of Talents from all directions, Risa decided to clear her mind of unnecessary thoughts.

She couldn’t afford to get caught up in pondering the identity of a third party.

‘As much as I’d love to sweep everything away easily, though…’

Too many things didn’t sit right.

‘There could still be citizens who haven’t evacuated.’

Risa sighed inwardly.

‘It’s a catch-22.’

She had thought that if she died, it would solve everything. But now, her thoughts were becoming tangled.

Butler Rena focused on the sound and video streaming from the speaker.

【This is justice.】
【Cutting out the rotten parts.】

At that moment, a comment appeared in the chat.

‘This is insane.’

That was the beginning.

---

‘Wow, so sexy.’
‘Nooniiiiiim!’
‘But is this really a death sentence? lol’
‘Does anyone know this villain’s name? Need it urgently.’
‘What’s the vibe here?’
‘Hmm.. Crazy, but she passes.’
‘What’s her ability?’

---

The chat was mostly positive. Since it was filled with people holding negative views on heroes, this reaction was to be expected.

Meanwhile, the room owner, Rena, was nervously chewing her nails.

‘Stop eating your nails! It’s bad for you!!’
‘What’s with that expression? lol’

Only then did Rena realize her mistake and hurriedly turned the sound back on.

“Really makes you think about what justice is.”

With her flat response, she babbled aimlessly, and soon question marks started popping up in the chat.

‘Where did Rena go?’

Her mind was in turmoil.

‘Boss! What are you doing over there!’

Butler Rena.
Real name: Serena.

The boss, who had been supposed to go with Owen to find bombs, was suddenly trending on the news. It was no surprise that her mind was blank.

At that moment, she noticed a comment in the corner of her vision.

‘This is just some crazy nonsense.’

Reflexively, her fingers moved.

Click.

‘This is just some crazy nonsense (banned account).’

Rena smiled slyly.

“Excessive swearing will get you banned~”

‘Kya~’
‘?? When did that rule get added?’
‘Apparently, there’s a hidden broadcast regulation~’

Rena closed her eyes and opened them again, flashing her usual bright smile.

“Alright, everyone, today’s topic will be this.”

She was initially taken aback, but after thinking about it, this was something she would inevitably face if she kept working as a villain. So now, she decided to do what she could.

Tap tap tap!

[Darkness VS Fire – Want to watch? ※Hero Respecting Room]

In an instant, the broadcast title changes.

[Let’s praise the cats together? ※Hero Respecting Room]

Given Iran’s personality, it’s uncertain whether they’d like this. However, Serena couldn’t accept the idea of Iran gaining a negative public image, so she wouldn’t allow it.

“Who’s the one who eats rotten fruit without cutting it off?”

It wasn’t out of the realm of possibility. Who knew what help her accumulated fame in the underground could offer her later?

“Anyway, it’s not me!”

‘Ah, the rotten part has to be cut off, lol’

Rena regained her energy and continued the broadcast.

“Stop.”

Magical Leaf’s body emanated mana.

Was she going to try something?

Well, honestly, it was commendable that she had been listening this whole time.
[This is bad.]

Her magic was already drained, having been used entirely to trap the citizens. Even though it was me, facing a Rank 1 hero would be far from easy.

‘Where’s Owen?’
[He’s passed out in the hideout.]

It couldn’t be helped. Just gathering most of the citizens in one place had fulfilled his role.

‘There’s nothing that can be done.’

This is why it’s better to have more companions. If I had just one more reliable ally, this disaster could have been avoided.

[Hmph. It would’ve been nice if the main girl could have come out.]

Right now, I can’t summon Yu Hyesun separately. If I bring her into the real world, I would have to go into the subconscious world in exchange.

It’s not so much that I serve her, but more that I’m parasitic on her body.

I took a steadying breath.

By inhabiting Yu Hyesun’s body, I’ve gained accomplishments that far surpass mere body techniques. I had no choice but to rely on that.

“I understand your thoughts.”

As Magical Leaf spoke, wearing a slight smile, I withdrew my attacking stance. I needed to buy time.

“I used to think like you, too. That to cut off the darkness for the sake of justice was the right thing to do.”

In this urgent situation, I couldn’t understand her intent behind trying to start a conversation.

[She is being cautious.]
‘Cautious? Of what?’
[You hold the lives of the citizens in your hands.]
‘Ah.’

I see. If I wished, it would be easy to kill thousands of powerless people under my grip.

As I understood this, Leaf’s words continued.

“The world needs a judge. An absolute judge with a perfect sense of justice. Right?”
“…….”

I stayed silent.

“……You must have experienced something incredibly unfair, haven’t you?”
“…….”
“I’ve been through it too. So I understand how you feel.”

Magical Leaf.

She’s revered as one of the Three Great Reminis, but in the original work, she never appeared.

The term “Three Great Reminis” was originally used to describe a boy.

But a few years ago, this girl appeared out of nowhere and swiftly took that place.

“I resented the world. Everything felt wrong.”

A small beam of light rose from the palm of her hand.

“But one day, I realized. No, I received enlightenment.”

Holding the light, Leaf made a distant expression, as though remembering something.

“From my teacher.”

I’d never heard that she had a teacher.

‘…Why, though, is she still holding back her power?’

My attention shifted away from Leaf and back to Lisa. The Empress still wasn’t showing her true power.

‘Was it not enough?’

Someone with Lisa’s level of power should have known by now that darkness can absorb attributes.

‘I need to create a more urgent situation…’

My nerves began to fray.

That’s why I didn’t notice it sooner.

[Master!]

Turning hurriedly, I saw Leaf stretching out her hand toward the ground.

At the tip of her fingers were citizens wrapped in darkness.

“Yggdrasil, the main body.”

I rushed toward her, throwing a punch. But my body enhancement, drained of mana, didn’t have its usual effectiveness.

Tap-

It was easily blocked.

The pity in her eyes as they met mine was evident.

“If I hadn’t met my teacher, would I have ended up like you?”

The darkness was slowly receding. A single tree, shining brightly, was pushing away the darkness that covered the earth as though purifying it.

Darkness holds an advantage over most attributes.

But only one.

When facing light, it was overwhelmingly weak.

“…Damn it.”

Frustration welled up within me.

Why, with a hero in front of me, did I let my attention wander elsewhere?

Seeing my distorted expression, Leaf murmured with regret.

“If only there had been someone like Iran around you, none of this would’ve happened.”